As part of PortMiami’s master plan, Bennco Engineering performed above and below water inspections of the submerged portion of the south bulkhead and RoRo platform at PortMiami. The dive team consisted of three engineer divers and one boat operator. The team conducted visual and tactile inspection of the RoRo platform support piles, bulkhead sheet pile, cap, and anchoring system. The underdeck was visually assessed to document the as-built layout and to evaluate deterioration including spalling and exposed rebar. Condition ratings were assigned to individual elements based on the level of deterioration observed. The inspection was completed as a routine inspection in general accordance with ASCE Waterfront Facilities Inspection and Assessment, MOP 130.

During the inspection, the divers collected photographs and video of the exposed elements. Additional Level II and III observations were made of the steel sheet pile. The divers cleared multiple 12-inch square areas of the bulkhead of marine growth to conduct ultrasonic thickness measurements of the steel sheet pile. The cleared areas were spaced every 100 LF along the wall at three different vertical elevations – mudline, mid-water column, and tidal zone to gain a representative understanding of the bulkhead condition. Measurement of the steel thickness taken every 200 LF and on 5% of the structural piles to detect deterioration.

Bennco Engineering prepared a summary report of the engineering observations, data from the thickness measurements, and copies of the photographs and video of the underwater evaluation. The report included an assessment of the existing marine structures and recommendations for rehabilitation.